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Record books make poor Reading

After a stunning 7-5 defeat to Arsenal, Reading hold the record of losing the highest scoring games in two competitions.

31 Oct 2012 16:33 GMT

Theo Walcott scored hat-trick as Arsenal battled back against Reading in the most unlikely fashion [AFP]

Read it and weep, well if you are a Reading fan anyway.

The Royals gained promotion to the Premier League last season but on their way they have produced a few less impressive feats... and results.

After going down 7-5 to Arsenal in an extraordinary Cup clash on Tuesday, Reading now occupy the unwanted place in the record books of losing the highest scoring games in the League Cup and Premier League.

Reading were on the wrong end of a 7-4 scoreline to Portsmouth in the Premier League in 2007 and they also suffered the FA Cup's second heaviest defeat, losing 18-0 to Preston North End in a first round tie in 1894.

Nothing of the sort looked possible though as they flew into a 4-0 lead over Arsenal after 37 minutes at the Majedksi Stadium in the fourth round encounter to leave several away fans shaking their heads in bewilderment as they made for the exit gate.

They missed one of their club's greatest comebacks and one of the most memorable games in the 52-year history of the League Cup.

The 12 goals scored on Tuesday surpassed the record for one match, set in September 2005 when Aston Villa beat Wycombe Wanderers 8-3.

The biggest winning margins were both by 10-0 when West Ham United beat Bury by that score in 1983 and Liverpool beat Fulham by the same margin in 1986.

Liverpool's win over Fulham was in the first leg of a second round tie and Fulham famously printed a picture of the world's then-greatest player Diego Maradona on the front cover of their programme for the return leg.

The message inside read: "Not even he can help us now, but let's enjoy the night."